Ralph Hanson, Author
Articles
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With the government prepared to help automakers boost sales and move cars out of their dealerships through incentives programs, automakers are giving consumers a little push of their own now, with...
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Newport Convertible Engineering Nearing Completion Of 2010 Camaro Convertible
The convertible specialists at Newport Convertible Engineering (NCE) have tackled everything from the Toyota Prius to Hummer H2, including the Dodge Challenger and Mercedes CL. Their latest project is the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro, and though it's not quite done yet, it will be ready soon, so the...
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Ford posts $424 million second quarter loss
Ford today reported a pre-tax operating loss of $424 million in the second quarter of 2009 (excluding special items), a $609 million improvement compared with the second quarter of last year. The gains made during the quarter were the result of cost reductions, net pricing, positive Ford Credit...
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Nissan announces 2010 GT-R for U.S.
After completely changing the paradigm of supercar design and performance in its first year of availability in North America, the affordable, “anyone, anytime, anywhere” Nissan GT-R returns for its sophomore year with a revised 2010 model featuring a number of minor updates –...
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Hyundai Genesis highest-ranked new-model debut of 2008 says J.D. Power
Claiming the top spot in any J.D. Power survey is an important goal for carmakers, as buyers pay attention to the company's vehicle market metrics. But the 2009 Hyundai Genesis has won a particularly meaningful one, taking the 2008 Inaugural Vehicle Launch Index. The Vehicle Launch Index is an...
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Ford details powertrain plans through 2010
The EcoBoost four-cylinder made news today with its impressive 240hp output from a small 2.0L displacement, raising hopes for enthusiasts everywhere that the engine might see use in a small and sporty hatch or sedan - or possibly even an SVO-type Mustang. But that's not the only thing Ford has in...
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Last fall General Motors began its rollout of the OnStar Stolen Vehicle Slowdown feature that allows law enforcement to remotely bring a stolen car's speed down to a crawl, so that the car can then...
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19-year-old Jaime Alguersuari to replace Sebastien Bourdais at Toro Rosso
As expected on Monday morning, Toro Rosso announced that 19-year-old Spanish rookie Jaime Alguersuari will replace Sebastien Bourdais "as from this weekend's Hungarian grand prix". Team boss Franz Tost said the total ban on-season testing will make his debut, to make history as the youngest ever...
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Docherty: GM starting new smaller inventory plan with 2010 Buick LaCrosse
Buick is getting some fresh new thinking from General Motors, and not all of it is in the product lineup. Instead of carrying a large inventory of vehicles on dealer lots, Buick will limit its output of the new 2010 LaCrosse, running with a 75 to 90-day supply, says BUick vice president Susan...
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Genesis Coupe sets new RWD Time Attack record at Pikes Peak
Setting a new world record in any form of motorsport requires an incredible amount of skill, engineering and preparation - all the more so when its your own record that you're beating. But that's just what Hyundai has done this past weekend at Pikes Peak. Driving a specially prepared Hyundai...
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8C Spider: Alfa Romeo’s Most Expensive Model Ever
Our love affair with Alfa Romeo's beautiful 8C Competizione continues with news today that the even more stylish Spider convertible will be available for U.S. deliveries by January, 2010. Like the hardtop, Alfa Romeo will build just 500 examples of the 8C Spider and only 35 are scheduled to arrive...
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Video: Ford Fiesta Rallycross preps for Pikes Peak Hill Climb
Ford's new Fiesta won’t be arriving in local showrooms until early next year, but the company is pulling out all the stops to promote the stylish compact with various motorsport and social marketing campaigns to build excitement. To further this, the Blue Oval recently announced a goal to get...
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Pontiac may be dead in the water but some enthusiasts - and until today, Bob Lutz among them - have been clamoring for at least one of the brand’s cars to be rebadged and sold under another GM...
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Two new Mustangs due from Saleen Performance by 2010
The Saleen Performance Vehicles brand has had a tricky recent history, with the Saleen, Inc., business changing hands and names and seeing its business goals change from the days when Steve Saleen - now heading up SMS Supercars - was at the helm. But we haven't seen the last of the high-performance...
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Report: BMW, Daimler to end hybrid partnership
BMW and Daimler have been working more and more closely together over the past several years, especially since the need to share costs and improve bottom lines has become so sharp in 2009. But despite ongoing partnerships for vehicle safety technology, the hybrid partnership that spawned the...
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Washington, D.C. proves riskiest city for driving, according to Allstate study
If you're in Sioux Falls, Fort Collins, or Chattanooga, your chances of colliding with another vehicle are a lot lower than in most other U.S. cities. On average, a driver in Sioux Falls will go 13.5 years between accidents - more than two and a half times as long as the 5.1 years for Washington...
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Lexus shifting focus to entry-level models
Everyone in the industry is feeling the burn of a long, slow summer, but few are feeling as keenly as Lexus. Perhaps that's because the luxury import carmaker had so far to fall, having been the dominant force in American luxury cars for most of the past decade. But there's a plan afoot to help...
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Report: Ford looking to spawn three sedans from new platform
Ford’s future models are to share common vehicle platforms across the globe, a practice that is the keystone of CEO Alan Mulally’s strategy to help shed costs and turn around the fortunes of the company. The first of these new global cars has already been launched in the form of the...
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In the midst of its U.S. marketing blitz for the 2010 IS C, Lexus is working hard to build enough cars to meet consumer demand. Currently about 1,200 cars are leaving the Kyushu factory each month,...
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Report: Lexus IS F Convertible planned for early 2011 launch
Despite there being no plans yet for an IS Coupe or a high-performance F version of the new IS C Convertible, officially, a new report has surfaced and claims that a Lexus IS F Convertible is in the works. Coupe and convertible versions of the IS-F would be welcome by fans, and it would also likely...
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GM plug-in hybrid crossover on track for 2011 debut
When General Motors sells Saturn later this year, it will lose more than a quarter of its sales of hybrid vehicles. Saturn, with no V8 models, fullsize SUVs or pickups, is GM’s most fuel-efficient brand and is second only to Chevrolet for overall hybrid sales with its Vue and Aura mild-hybrid...
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Hyundai Tiburon replacement will get 140hp direct-injected four-cylinder
Hyundai isn’t keeping quiet about its future product line, with the company’s U.S. chief previously revealing details about the company’s upcoming hybrid and electric vehicle plans and now details about the company’s replacement for the Tiburon. Speaking with Edmunds...
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Tesla Roadster now with Bank of America financing
Tesla has announced that it is partnering with the Bank of America to offer a range of new financing packages for its all-electric Roadster in the hope to "significantly" expand the number of customers who can experience the groundbreaking Bank of America will directly finance, document, and...
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Hyundai plug-in hybrid sports car coming to U.S. in 2012
Hyundai is moving into the hybrid business quickly, with its first petrol-electric model expected to debut in South Korea this July and the U.S. by next year. A couple of years after that the automaker sees itself launching more advanced plug-in hybrid vehicles, with a sports car variant expected...
Ralph Hanson